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Doctors sue over Florida "don't ask" gun law

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 20, 2011

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A group of Florida physicians, including the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is suing the state over a law restricting doctors from asking patients certain questions regarding whether they own firearms.

Under the first-of-its-kind law, signed June 1 by Gov. Rick Scott, doctors could face disciplinary action from the state licensing board for asking for or recording information about patients' gun ownership if it is deemed harassing or unnecessary. The physician organizations argue that the law interferes with doctors' First Amendment rights to speak openly with patients and discuss firearms safety (link).

The National Rifle Assn. and its Florida chapter led the push for the law, saying that doctors were harassing gun owners about firearms. The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence also sued the state over the law.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/06/20/gvbf0620.htm.

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